Cancer Screenings

Early detection saves lives. Cancer screenings are vital tools that help identify cancer before symptoms appear, when it's most treatable. Different types of screenings are recommended based on age, gender, family history, and individual risk factors. In this section, you’ll find information on the most common cancer screenings—including what they involve, who should get them, and how often. Empower yourself with knowledge and take a proactive step toward protecting your health.

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What are Cancer Screenings?

Cancer screening tests are used to find cancer before a person has any symptoms. Early diagnosis can detect pre-cancers and cancers when they are more treatable before they have had a chance to spread. Your body is made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong and your body keeps making new cells but the old ones don’t die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they can crowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for your body to work the way it needs to. Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, talk to your doctor about cancer screening guidelines which will be based on your age, health, family history, and personal risk factors. For a person between the ages of 50-74 at average risk, here are the screenings to discuss with your doctor:

Types of Cancer Screenings

Colon and Rectal Cancer

Cancer arising from the colon or rectum typically evolves from polyps over time. Early stages rarely cause symptoms; later signs can include blood in stool or bowel changes.
Screening: Options include annual stool-based tests (FIT or stool DNA-FIT), a colonoscopy at regular intervals, CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy at multi-year intervals, followed by colonoscopy if any test is positive.

Breast Cancer

A malignancy that begins in the breast tissue, often first detected as a lump or skin/nipple changes. Early cancer usually has no symptoms—imaging finds it sooner.
Screening: Regular screening mammograms, with supplemental MRI for those at higher risk, as advised by your doctor.

Prostate Cancer

A growth in the prostate gland; many grow slowly and never cause problems, but some can spread if untreated. The PSA screens for prostate cancer and is usually given to men with no symptoms. If you have a father or brother who had prostate cancer before the age of 65, or if you are African American, you should talk to your doctor about prostate screening starting at age 45
Screening: A PSA blood test (and possibly a digital rectal exam) after a shared discussion with your provider about potential benefits and risks.

Cervical Cancer

Cancer of the cervix, almost always driven by persistent high-risk HPV infection. It develops slowly, so screening can catch precancerous changes first.
Screening: A Pap test every two years or an HPV test every few years, or both together at longer intervals.

Lung Cancer

A tumor in the lung tissue, most often linked to long-term smoking. Early disease usually has no warning signs, so imaging in at-risk individuals is key.
Screening: Annual CT scan of the lungs for those with a significant smoking history, as long as they continue to meet risk criteria.

Skin Cancer

Abnormal skin-cell growth, often on sun-exposed areas. Melanoma is less common but more aggressive; basal and squamous cell cancers are very common but usually less deadly.
Screening: Monthly self-checks for new or changing spots, plus a professional skin exam if you have risk factors (fair skin, many moles, family history).

Note:

These are general screening approaches. Your personal risk factors (family history, medical conditions, lifestyle) may change which tests are right for you, and how often you need them. Always follow up with your healthcare provider to build a screening plan tailored to you.